Pop Mart Unveils Spectacular Beijing Theme Park: A Mesmerizing Wonderland for Toy Lovers

With its launch in 2010, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart set off a collectible craze with its anime-style figurines.

Now, its amping up the hype further.

Pop Mart has followed the example of Disney and Studio Ghibli by venturing into the theme park industry. Their inaugural 40,000-square-meter theme park called Pop Land, consisting of four zones, has recently opened in Beijing, China. The announcement was made on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

Instead of experiencing exhilarating rides, the park provides fans with the opportunity to capture memorable moments alongside Pop Mart's iconic characters - Molly, Dimoo, and The Monsters - in a variety of enchanting locations, including a charming European-style castle and a cozy treehouse surrounded by lush foliage.

Renowned for their petite size, Pop Mart's figures feature endearing oversized eyes and substantial heads. These beloved characters are available in a captivating assortment of themed outfits, comprising various exquisite series.

Furthermore, the company not only creates its own distinctive series such as Molly, Skullpanda, and Dimoo, but also collaborates with various brands to produce exclusive editions featuring beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, and Harry Potter.

Enhancing the addictive nature of collecting, enthusiasts are kept in suspense as they unveil their purchases from the captivating "blind boxes," priced at approximately $10 each. Completing a series becomes an exhilarating challenge akin to playing the lottery.

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Nevertheless, the size of the new amusement park is considerably smaller compared to other renowned theme parks in China. For example, Shanghai Disneyland covers an impressive area of 3.9 square kilometers, making it nearly 100 times larger than the newly established Pop Land. This venture marked Walt Disney Company's entry into the Chinese market.

In the field of amusement parks, some notable domestic players are the Chimelong Group, operating a safari park and water park in Guangdong province, and Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town Enterprises, which owns a chain of Happy Valley theme parks across the nation.

Tickets for Pop Land are priced at approximately $20 on weekdays and $25 during peak times. For those seeking a more immersive experience in the evening with Molly, one of the main characters, a combo ticket is available for $31.

Videos shared on the day of the launch on Pop Mart's Weibo account depict customers queuing outside stores and mini-game booths at the park.

"I did consider the possibility of Pop Mart opening a theme park, but I never imagined it would actually happen," stated a Chinese netizen in response to the company's announcement on Weibo.

Another hopes the larger versions of the characters displayed in the park can stay true to the design.

"Otherwise, it will ruin the vibe," the person added.

Pop Mart's character Pucky is featured in its recently opened theme park Pop Land in Beijing.

Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2020, Pop Mart currently holds a market capitalization of $3.8 billion, making it a significant player in an industry typically dominated by Japan, renowned for its popular anime and manga. Additionally, Pop Mart is actively pursuing international expansion opportunities.

The brand attracted a large number of customers when it launched its first store in Thailand last month. In the previous year, it also expanded its physical presence to the US, UK, New Zealand, and Australia.

Continuing its growth, Pop Mart currently operates 340 stores in mainland China, which is 19 more compared to the end of 2022. Additionally, it has a total of 55 stores in Hong Kong, Macao, and other locations, as stated in its most recent annual report.

The company reported a revenue of $385 million in the first half of 2023, showing a growth of 19.3% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. According to the company, their recent strategies include focusing on building amusement parks.